The Effectiveness of Mnemonic Strategies on Arabic Vocabulary and Grammar Mastery

Abstract

Mastery of Arabic vocabulary (mufradat) and grammar rules still relies on rote memorisation, which students struggle to retain, and mnemonic strategies are increasingly being tested as an alternative. However, no systematic review has mapped the techniques, outcomes, and strength of evidence in these studies. This study synthesises empirical evidence on mnemonic strategies for learning Arabic vocabulary and grammar. It employs a Systematic Literature Review following the PRISMA protocol with narrative synthesis. The online search yielded 31 unique records, of which 11 studies published between 2020 and 2026 met the inclusion criteria of this review. Seven studies addressed vocabulary, and four addressed grammar rules, mainly morphology (sharaf). The dominant techniques were rhyme or song, keyword mnemonics, and story association with visualisation. All studies with readable results reported improvement or a positive trend, although most used non-controlled or single-group designs. A quality appraisal using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool (MMAT) found that only two studies met most core quality criteria. Therefore, the evidence supports a positive direction of reported outcomes but is insufficient to establish mnemonic effectiveness. This review provides a map of techniques, subject domains, and design strengths, and points to the need for controlled experiments comparing techniques, delayed retention tests, and measurement of motivation.